BRIEFS

web site

Shipping News

Asian nations given anti-piracy guidelines
OFFICIALS from 16 Asian nations meeting at an anti-piracy meeting in Manila last week, were presented with proposed guidelines on piracy countermeasures that will soon be considered by the International Maritime Organisation.
PSA's Feb throughput up locally, overseas
PSA Corporation handled 4 per cent more containers in Singapore and 29 per cent more worldwide in February than a year earlier, thanks mainly to its Belgium acquisition.
NOL should sell tanker arm: UBS Warburg
NEPTUNE Orient Lines should seize improved market conditions to sell its tanker arm and focus on its 'core competency' of container shipping to 'restructure its balance sheet', says UBS Warburg.
Military hardware stretching Kuwaiti ports to the limits
THROUGHPUT at Kuwaiti ports is being pushed to the limits as US and British forces work furiously to unload enough hardware to support an invasion of Iraq by more than 200,000 soldiers.

Air and Land Transport

Airport group takes Manila to int'l court
A Filipino-German consortium which built a controversial passenger terminal at Manila airport said yesterday it would seek arbitration at an international court to compel the Philippines government to honour its contract.
Qantas-Air NZ tie-up: Aussie govt still concerned
EADS has 299m euro 2002 net loss due to space division
Tiny Palau plans its own flag carrier
Shandong Air posts unexpected loss for 2002
Indian Airlines seeks to raise fares

web site

Shipping News

Asian nations given anti-piracy guidelines
OFFICIALS from 16 Asian nations meeting at an anti-piracy meeting in Manila last week, were presented with proposed guidelines on piracy countermeasures that will soon be considered by the International Maritime Organisation.
PSA's Feb throughput up locally, overseas
PSA Corporation handled 4 per cent more containers in Singapore and 29 per cent more worldwide in February than a year earlier, thanks mainly to its Belgium acquisition.
NOL should sell tanker arm: UBS Warburg
NEPTUNE Orient Lines should seize improved market conditions to sell its tanker arm and focus on its 'core competency' of container shipping to 'restructure its balance sheet', says UBS Warburg.
Military hardware stretching Kuwaiti ports to the limits
THROUGHPUT at Kuwaiti ports is being pushed to the limits as US and British forces work furiously to unload enough hardware to support an invasion of Iraq by more than 200,000 soldiers.

Air and Land Transport

Airport group takes Manila to int'l court
A Filipino-German consortium which built a controversial passenger terminal at Manila airport said yesterday it would seek arbitration at an international court to compel the Philippines government to honour its contract.
Qantas-Air NZ tie-up: Aussie govt still concerned
EADS has 299m euro 2002 net loss due to space division
Tiny Palau plans its own flag carrier
Shandong Air posts unexpected loss for 2002
Indian Airlines seeks to raise fares

	web site

LA's China Shipping Terminal gets green go-ahead WTSA to charge for US WC meat transfers at freight stations Hanjin and Sinokor set sail for Vietnam with three vessels Colombo transshipment volumes grow 22pc in February Finpro looks to Schenker for logistics services in Finland Anthony Tegnelia appointed US supply chain VP for Ryder FedEx upgrades US service to next day from second-business day Lynden, Western Express start new Canada/Alaska service John Blue made interim CEO at Atlas Air Worldwide

	web site

Another feather in cap for Seaways Shipping - ...handles export shipment of 43 TEUs in one lot Tuticorin Port Trust to offer concessional tariff for mainline vessels Tex-Styles fair generates orders worth Rs 163 crore India, Thailand to set up FTZ in July India, Afghanistan sign preferential trade pact Paradip Port Trust set to achieve rail-borne traffic of additional 1 m. tonnes this fiscal Tuticorin Port logs 1.72 pc increase in cargo handling during April-Feb. 2002-03 Vizag Port set to exceed cargo throughput of 46 m. tonnes by month-end - Sets another single-day national loading record Forex build-up pace slows Forex reserves dip on debt prepayment States may be allowed to levy 5 to 8 pc tax on imports RBI sanctions relief package for marine products exporters Govt to set up Projects EPC, create $ 12-bn development fund States' decision to waive VAT on exports will mean lower drawback rates Rana tells EPCs to realise export targets IMC engagements this week

	web site
MARCH 10, 2003
OPEC not to increase production further BigOil stops shipping Iraqi crude Gas Roman and Springbok succesfully parted Quiet Rotterdam sees indications pushed up by bullish crude

	web site
MARCH 10, 2003
Member states not too quick to adopt ":Erika": packages Fosen must fight for full subsidies Spain keeps up the ":all-others-are to-blame":-attitude

	web site
MARCH 10, 2003
Senators seek more Port Security funding Threat of dirty bomb is growing Austal books car ferry order First for Australian domestic market

	web site
MARCH 10, 2003
Corps gives states more time to develop Columbia channel plan Union Pacific rail cars carry wind turbines to Sacramento UPS puts plans on hold to furlough 100 pilots Trio of carriers now offers Japan/Thailand/Vietnam run Coast Guard tracking vessels involved in possible collision

	web site
MARCH 10, 2003
US Treating Seafarers Like Terror Suspects

	web site

EU may soften stance on single hull phase out The European Union may yet give ground on its stance on the phasing-out single hull tankers, on the understanding that the International Maritime Organisation revisits the terms of its 2001 global single hull phase-out timetable at July's Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting. Opec split on plans to suspend oil quota limits THE Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries remains split on plans to suspend oil quota limits in the event of a US-led attack on Iraq. South Korean yards set pace as owners snap up 2004 berths South Korean yards have set a blistering pace to 2003, recording the highest number of orders ever set in a two-month period. Lloyd's on track for £3bn profit says Moody's LLOYD'S is heading for a combined profit of around £3bn ($4.9bn) from the 2002 and 2003 years of account, Moody's Investors Service has forecast.

	web site
MARCH 10, 2003
Matson seeks newbuilding buyer USCG probe NCL dumping reports Police seize cocaine on Costa ship US box proposal 'unworkable' Oil majors stop loading Iraqi crude Maersk Inc parentage questioned Panama needs 96 hours' notice Pakistan moves to regulate rates Rotterdam moves chemicals off road Russians express policy frustration Indonesia gets cash for training China eroding Australian coal share Bunker prices rise on war fears Belgian dockers resort to violence Patrick outlines expansion plans NZ reassesses watchkeeping rules W Australia clinches Korea gas deal Anger over French ferry subsidy TIPS threatens court action Star to resume Korea-China service Dubai to underwrite war risk Iraq feeder trades grind to a halt

	web site
MARCH 10, 2003
Project boosts extended gate hours Survey aims to find broad support for marine terminal operators to extend their gate hours. Air market to slow in '03: Study Worldwide growth in ocean freight is expected to exceed air freight for the first time in 13 years, a researcher says. Tankers continue to load Iraqi crude Soaring rates and worries over supplies spur a market scramble ahead of a possible attack led by the United States. WTSA reaffirms reefer rate increase Senate creates Homeland Security subcommittee Strong profits for Exel Crowley adds U.S.-C. Amer. ro/ro Lines offer intra-Asia service Wallenius Wilhelmsen shifts Canada sales High court rules for workers in railroad asbestos case Tacoma chooses Tideworks Technology Sri Lanka adding Colombo feeder terminal Norfolk Southern forms Mexico unit

	web site
MARCH 10, 2003
European unrest: Antwerp closed, but no strike in Rotterdam Container operations in the Port of Antwerp remain paralysed today by a strike against the EU Ports Package, while Rotterdam's dockers will not join this week's planned strikes. Zim defends Australia/East Asia presence amid liner rift Zim has taken the unusual step of formally denying rumours that it is about to quit Australian trades, as the line battles to protect its position on these routes. Report finds weaknesses in US Customs' systems Transpacific carriers to apply BAF 'much more diligently' Bank finds merger potential as rates recover Tide turns in Brazil, as Sepetiba bags major customers Customs wrests control at DHS Port Qasim tariffs to be cut in rate war with Karachi Car exports to block Santos container expansion

	web site
MARCH 10, 2003
Kvaerner says Matson project remains solid West Coast container line still wants two $110m Philly ships, but on charter only. Braemar Seascope duo take top appointments Soanes, Shaw have new duties with London brokerage. ChevronTexaco eschews Iraqui crude Oil major says dollars, not politics, drive its decision. German and US firms form bond Imperial and MID-Ship groups become logistics allies. Evergreen state fines Evergreen line Washington penalises liner operator over disputed Colombia River spill. SSY lines up coal derivatives platform Broker to use existing trading site as springboard for futures business. Frontline finance chief gets a bonus Tom Jebsen set for $78,000 profit if he cashes in tanker company share options. Bourbon keeps options open on Havila French owner strikes deal to become biggest investor in Norwegian supply ship player - but only in 2006. Bad month for Heung-A Hong Kong port state inspectors detained two of the Korean owner's ships in February. Caspian Shipping insures 2,900 crew Azeri owner uses state insurer to offer payout of $2,000 in event of crew member's death. Bertram Rickmers ups Hanjin boxship order Korean yard bowls ahead to meet sales target as containership contracts pour in. Ice delays Seaway opening Tough winter postpones navigation on the St Lawrence for first time in 40 years. STX plans June stocklisting Korean shipyard bullish on prospects for 2003 as orders roll in. Shipbuilding helps Pan United Singapore yard and owner expects 2003 to be "challenging" but profitable. Dockers on strike in Finland Passengerships unaffected as workers protest against EU proposals to allow owners to bring in own staff. New MD for Bibby Line Mark Preece takes the helm at long established UK shipowner. Gas Roman and Springbok prised apart Salvors finally disconnect gas carrier and cargoship which collided off Singapore last month.

	web site
MARCH 10, 2003
Wallenius Wilhelmsen takes over agency responsibilities in Canada Pacific Carriers confirm plan to raise Westbound reefer rates DHL picks Yantra application for order fulfillment Atlas Air Worldwide consolidates headquarter operations TIACA elects Kay president Military shipments boost Antonov airlines' revenue U.S. inland barge fleet continues decline Colography Group: ocean freight growth will exceed air freight Joint venture to move Hyundai imports GT Nexus names Lynch VP of sales U.S. continues trade talks with Dominican Republic USTR releases Singapore free trade agreement text, Chile next Exel boosts 2002 results with $1 billion in new business Coscia to chair New York-New Jersey Port Authority Port of Gdansk awards 60-year terminal operating concession